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These easy healthy dinner ideas star the best lean proteins and fresh produce! These recipes will have everyone asking for more.

Healthy dinner ideas
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Need dinnertime inspiration? Try this list of 40 easy healthy dinner ideas! Healthy means something different to everyone. We take our definition from Mediterranean style eating, which echoes healthy diets from around the globe. Each plate has lots of fresh vegetables, healthy fats (like olive oil), lean proteins, and whole grains.

You’ll see no cheesy pastas or greasy burgers below: only pescatarian, vegetarian, and vegan recipes that are full of nutrients. All recipes are listed with total cook time so you have an idea of how long they’ll take to whip up. And keep reading after the list for our favorite healthy side dishes to pair with the meals listed here.

And now…40 easy healthy dinner ideas!

Healthy side dishes to pair

Many of the healthy dinner ideas above need a few side dishes to pair to turn them into a meal. But what are some easy healthy side dishes to go alongside, you ask? Here are some of our favorites that don’t take long to whip up:

These healthy dinner ideas are…

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, plant-based, dairy-free or pescatarian.

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Healthy dinner ideas

50 Healthy Dinner Ideas


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5 from 1 review

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
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Description

This baked salmon and asparagus recipe is the definition of easy healthy dinner! Throw it all on a sheet pan with lemon, and the flavor is unreal.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound thin asparagus*
  • 1 pound salmon, wild caught if possible
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper
  • Lemon
  • Minced fresh herbs (like chives, mint or thyme), for garnish

Instructions

  1. Allow the salmon to come to room temperature.
  2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with foil.
  3. Trim the asparagus. Place it on the baking sheet and toss it with 2 tablespoon olive oil (this also oils the foil). Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper.
  4. Pat the salmon dry and place it on the foil. Drizzle it with 1 teaspoon olive oil. Sprinkle the salmon with ½ teaspoon kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper. Place asparagus around the salmon. Slice the lemon into wheels and place them on top of the asparagus (but not the salmon). Squeeze juice from the two ends of the lemon onto the tray. Then add the chopped fresh herbs on top of everything.
  5. Bake 9 to 12 minutes until the asparagus is tender at the thickest part, and the salmon is just tender and pink at the center (the internal temperature should be between 125 to 130F in the center for done, or 10 degrees less if you’re broiling). If the salmon is done before the asparagus (the asparagus is thick), remove it from the tray and continue cooking just the asparagus until tender.

Notes

*Thin asparagus is best, so try to find the thinnest you can when shopping. If all you can find is thicker asparagus, you may need a little longer to roast (up to 15 minutes). Just remove the salmon from the tray if it’s already done and finish the asparagus by itself.

  • Category: Main dish
  • Method: Sheet Pan
  • Cuisine: Seafood
  • Diet: Gluten Free

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes and the joy of cooking! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.

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3 Comments

  1. Sonja Overhiser says:

    Let us know if you have any questions!






    1. Donna Nye says:

      Hi Sonja,

      Question about the salmon recipe…. Instead of using foil could we use parchment paper instead?

      1. Alex Overhiser says:

        Yes